Simon was found wondering the docks of Hong Kong in March 1948, sick of commies and hungry for adventure. A member of the crew of the HMS Amethyst, George Hickinbottom, recognized his killer instinct and no BS attitude. Within moments Simon was recruited by the British navy and put to work killing rats and keeping his fellow crew-mates healthy. He was known for his thoroughness and obsession with keeping track of his kills by laying their corpses on crew members beds. Since he wasn't assigned official sleeping quarters he called dibs on the captains hat. No one dared move him of course.
I'm in ur hatz, sleeping like a boss.
The crew took an immediate liking to Simon and he became an unofficial mascot and good luck charm. He was so well liked that when ships commander, Ian Griffiths, gave command to Bernard Skinner later in 1948, he made sure Simon was staying with his new commander. Skinner didn't mind and actually really liked Simon. Simon also seemed to tolerate his presence.
His first mission though was not so lucky for Lt. Commander Skinner. They were charged with traveling up the Yangtze River to replace another ship and were ambushed by Chinese Communist gun batteries. One of the first rounds tore through the captains cabin, seriously wounding Simon and fatally wounding Lt. Commander Skinner. Simon was rushed to the medical bay by the remaining medical staff. They cleaned his wounds, removed 4 pieces of shrapnel and was not expected to last the night. Did that stop ol' Simon?
NO! Simon actually recovered from his wounds and went right back to killing rats and keeping his crew safe, even though he didn't really like the new Commander, John Kerans. He was hailed as an instant celebrity back in the UK and was awarded the Animal VC, the Dickin Medal, the Blue Cross, the Amethyst campaign medal and the "fanciful" rank of "Able Seacat". Fans wrote thousands of letters to Simon, so much so that Lt. Stuart Hett was appointed "Cat Officer" to deal with Simon's post.
Everywhere they went Simon was given gifts, letters and welcomed with praise. But like all foreign animals, when finally arriving back in the UK, he was put into quarantine. It was there that death finally caught up with Simon. Simon contracted a virus and died on November 28th 1949 due to complication of the viral infection caused by his war wounds. Hundreds, including his beloved crew-mates, attended his funeral at PDSA Ilford Animal Cemetery.
His life is why he wins "Animal of Honor" this week.
